AUGUSTA, Ga. — Looking for a way to make this Tigerless Masters interesting? Root for the Americans. Sure, it’s a bit of a biased approach. Even without Woods, there are enough storylines there to make the 78th Masters worth viewing — and most of them focus on the Americans.

Can players such as Keegan Bradley, Bubba Watson, Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner and Webb Simpson become multi-major winners? Can young guns such as Bill Hass, Jordan Spieth, Matt Jones and Patrick Reed win their first? Will veterans such as Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Hunter Mahan, and Steve Stricker finally join the list of major champions?

Clearly, the Aussies are coming with defending champion Adam Scott and perennial contender Jason Day leading the charge. But this is a Ryder Cup year, which means nationalism starts to take root at the Masters. It would be good for ratings, too, even though CBS is trying to downplay Woods missing the tournament for the first time in 20 years.

“The Masters has always been the highest rated and the most anticipated golf tournament of the year,” said Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports. “It was true before Tiger Woods played. It’s true when Tiger Woods played in it and it will be true when Tiger Woods is no longer playing.”

Reality is the ratings could take of hit, considering Woods has just about always been in contention on a Masters Sunday. But in its own way, this Masters could shape up to be one of the more memorable in its storied history.

American pride took a hit at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah when the United States blew a big lead and were upset by the European team during singles play on Sunday. The Masters is the first chance to restore some of that Red, White and Blue swagger. It only happens if the green jacket is fitted for someone from the States.

“This is a tournament I’ve grown up watching and have always dreamt and still continue to dream of winning someday,” said Jordan Spieth from Dallas. “Whether that’s a few days from now or years in the future, hopefully one day I can have that green jacket.”

Woods and Phil Mickelson have always overshadowed the other American golfers. But this is their opportunity to step into the spotlight. There’s only one player with a chance to win back-to-back majors and that’s Dufner, who captured the 2013 PGA at Oak Hill. He is among the favorites this week.

“I don’t feel too different,” he said. “I have a little bit more confidence just from being able to win that event. I’m looking forward to the week and hopefully maybe contending and having a chance to win another major championship here at Augusta.”

This Masters marks a number of milestones. Arnold Palmer won his fourth and final Masters 50 years ago, while Mickelson won his first Green Jacket 10 years ago. And this Masters features past champion Craig Stadler and his son Kevin becoming the first father and son to compete in the same Masters. It will also be the first played without the famed Eisenhower Tree along the par-4 17th hole. Judging by the number of patrons who have gone to the spot where the tree once stood, more will probably miss the tree this week than they’ll miss Woods.

“We don’t have a definitive plan as to what if anything we will do to the 17th hole beyond this year’s tournament,” Chairman Billy Payne said Wednesday. “We are closely examining play and scoring on the hole this week and will make a decision after careful observation and consideration.”

Payne is among those who isn’t going to lose sleep Woods isn’t in the tournament. There is plenty to get excited about as the first round begins Thursday.

“This is the Masters,” Payne said. “This is what we hope is the best golf tournament in the world, one of the greatest sporting events and I think we will have a very impressive audience and have another great champion to crown this year.”

So there’s no need for a moment of silence because Woods isn’t playing in the Masters. If ratings are important, simply root for the Americans.